This February, Space Encounters Gallery turns into the playground of Cavite street artists as they paint the town red (and blue and neon) in the Existence group exhibit.
Cavity Collective, also known as CVTY, brings street art to Metro Manila as it aims to create deeper awareness and appreciation for the lowbrow art movement in the country. Street art makes an otherwise lofty concept available to practically everyone, regardless of social class or status. “Malaki rin ang naitutulong nito para sa mga tao na walang access sa gallery o museum dahil nagkakaroon sila ng idea about art in general,” says Blic, one of the founders of the collective.
The latter part of 2010 saw the birth of CVTY. What started out as a casual mural session among friends eventually became an organization whose main goal is to “educate people about street art and build a community of artists that will push the street art movement.” The group had its first official mural painting activity at a skate park in Las Piñas—a fitting venue for a crucial aspect of the urban movement. As Cavite’s walls transformed into accessible public galleries, CVTY—and the advocacy it represents—slowly made an impact on the community. The group has had locals approach them for commissioned works, while younger graffiti artists are encouraged to follow the same footsteps as CVTY when it comes to painting the city’s public spaces.
The collective has done murals in and around Cavite and Metro Manila, but the project they are most proud of (to date) is the commissioned work for the Pasay cemetery walls last 2015. The project was spearheaded by the National Commission on Culture and the Arts in cooperation with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Department of the Interior and Local Government, and the city government. CVTY turned an otherwise garbage-ridden space into a striking work of art.
As it celebrates its 10th anniversary, the group brings its diverse street art styles to Space Encounters Gallery. Sixteen of its 23 active members will showcase their works: Tyang Karyel, Lee Salvador, Niel Atienza, Dagger, Blic, Kiwicuts, Quatro Hapimeel, Imba, Qwark, Nemo Aguila, Doktor Karayom, Bayawak, Yeng Cruz, Hnnh, Jai Hernandez, and Mio Aseremo. The gallery will serve as a meeting point for these artists who each have their own respective styles. There will be a live mural painting, where guests are invited to try their hands at making their own artwork. A sticker swap will also take place, making the show opening a more interactive experience for all visitors—and ultimately, an event where everyone can experience, appreciate, and immerse in inclusive art.
Catch the opening of Existence on February 8, 2020 at 6pm. Space Encounters Gallery is located at Unit 7D, 7th Floor Padilla Building, F. Ortigas Jr. Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig City. The gallery is open from Tuesdays to Fridays, 10am to 6pm; and on Saturdays, 11am to 5pm. Email spacegallery.info@gmail.com or call 0917-7956739 for inquiries. You may also log on to gallery.spaceencounters.net.
